What we do
Home Improvement Scheme
We believe everyone has a right to live in a warm, dry, safe, comfortable home.
Naomi Kingsley Chief Executive, London Rebuilding Society
The Home Improvement Scheme helps older homeowners to improve and repair their homes at no upfront cost, and no monthly repayments.
Better, warmer, more comfortable home: Maximise the value of your home, and make your home suit your needs in later life.
Peace of mind: No negative equity, you retain ownership, no repayment until your property is passed on or sold.
No stress: We manage the whole process, from understanding your needs, to managing the contractors and all the works. The work is guaranteed and warranted under the works contract.
If you can answer ‘yes’ to the following, give us a call on 07735 078 695 or request a call back.
- I am a homeowner
- I am over 55 years of age
- My home is in disrepair and needs improving
7 steps to hassle-free home improvements
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Step 1
Call us on 07735 078 695 to arrange a meeting with one of our team members. We can refer you for advice on your benefits and any grant you may be entitled to.
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Step 2
If you think the Scheme is right for you, then we will refer you to an Equity Release Advisor who will provide more detail about the loan. The loan is a regulated product from an established mortgage provider, so you are protected from mis-selling or unfair practices.
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Step 3
Your Equity Release Advisor will help you apply for a home improvement loan.
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Step 4
Once you receive the loan details, if you decide to go ahead with the work, you sign the contract.
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Step 5
We arrange an independent survey and valuation of your home and its needs. You agree with us what work you would like done, and we commission a building company from our approved panel of contractors.
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Step 6
We project manage all the work, and payments, and particularly importantly, help arrange any temporary storage or accommodation you may need.
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Step 7
The London Rebuilding Society works contract provides guaranteed finished work, so you are free to relax and enjoy the comforts of the improvements to your home.
Empty Homes Fund
The Empty Homes Fund enables homeowners to bring empty property back into use with no upfront cost, and you retain full ownership of the property. Your property will be refurbished and retrofitted.
All you need to do is agree to lease the property to the local authority for at least five years. The loan we provide to pay for improvement work to the property is repaid by guaranteed rental income. After the loan is paid, all rental income is paid directly to you. The local authority guarantees tenancy, so your investment is safe.
We provide:
- Access to Empty Homes or any other grants or loans from your local authority
- A top-up loan to pay for the work
- Access to expertise in resolving title or probate questions or disputes
- Expert project management of all work, from start to finish
- Work completed by approved contractors through fixed price contracts, guaranteed and warranted
6 steps to make your property work for you
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Step 1
Contact us at [email protected] to arrange a meeting with one of our team members. We will then contact your local authority to find out if you are eligible for any available grants or loans.
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Step 2
If you are eligible, you will be offered a local authority Empty Homes grant to help towards the cost of bringing your property back into use.
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Step 3
3. We arrange an independent survey and valuation of your home and its needs. You agree with us what work you would like done, and we work together to choose a builder or building company from our approved panel of candidates following a tender process.
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Step 4
If needed, we provide you with top-up finance (a loan secured against the property) to match the difference between the cost of the building improvements and the local authority grant.
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Step 5
We project manage all the work related to refurbishing your home, budgeting and payments.
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Step 6
6. Your refurbished home is leased to the local authority for a specified period, and the loan is repaid with the rental income. After the loan has been repaid, all rental income goes directly to you.
Value to Local Authorities
- Bringing wasted, empty properties back into use
- Increase local affordable housing
- Reduce the level of and cost of temporary accommodation
- Reduce housing waiting lists
- Making homes energy efficient and reducing carbon emissions
- Save costs on care and social services by making homes warm, safe, and dry
- Get rid of blighted homes in the community and improve people’s environment
- Helps you get the most from your Empty Homes bonus: more social impact, more social value
For further information please email [email protected] with Empty Homes in the title.